A Remarkable Faith

Faith is a remarkable thing.  And, we often find it in remarkable places.  As the children of Israel are perched on the edge of the promise land, they send spies into the city of Jericho to gather intelligence.  There, they encounter a woman by the name of Rahab.  Rahab is an outsider and a prostitute.  Yet, she has a remarkable awareness of God and His workings.  The Bible says,

“Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you.  For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan.  When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below” (Joshua 2:8-11, HCSB).

It is amazing that Rahab had heard about the Israelites’ exploits during in the exodus.  She knew that God had given them the land in which she lived.  Not only that, she also knew that the God of Israel was the “God in heaven above and on the earth below.”  In other words, she understood that their God was greater than any other god or man.  Her faith is quite remarkable given her context.  As a matter of fact, she is the only non-Jew listed in what we call the “faith hall of fame” (Hebrews 11).

Rahab’s faith was not only great because of its context, but also because she put it into action.  She actively worked with the Israelite spies.  She protected and guided them.  She bargained with them.  She trusted them to deliver her and her family.  Her faith indeed had works.  Thus, we read in the New Testament,

“By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed” (Hebrews 11:31, HCSB).

“And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route” (James 2:25, HCSB)?

In Rahab, we see quite an example of faith and works.  She had a remarkable faith.  She demonstrated her faith by her works.  May we too strive to have a faith that works.

Facing the Unknown

New things are a little daunting.  We’re never really sure how a new set of circumstances may impact our lives.  New people, new events, and new surroundings all rock us from our comfort zones.  When the new comes knocking at our door, how will we respond?

As the book of Joshua begins, Joshua is a familiar face in a new place.  He is now the leader of the Israelites.  Moses is dead.  Joshua is charged with the task of leading the children of Israel into the promise land.  The Bible says,

“After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, who had served Moses:  “Moses My servant is dead.  Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites.  I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.  Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—and west to the Mediterranean Sea.  No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.  I will be with you, just as I was with Moses.  I will not leave you or forsake you.  “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance.  Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you.  Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.  This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.  For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.  Haven’t I commanded you:  be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:1-9, HCSB).

In this passage, we see three things that can help us deal with the new and the uncertain.  For one, we need to remember that God’s promise is sure, even though it may yet to be fulfilled.  Throughout Joshua, God speaks of giving the Israelites the land.  He often says it in different ways.  Sometimes, He says, “I am giving.”  Sometimes, He says, “I am about to give.”  And, sometimes He says, “I have given.”  It is not uncommon for God to say “I have given” even though the land is yet to be claimed.  The promise is sure.  Regardless of the land’s current occupants, God has given it to the Israelites.  We can rest in this same assurance.  God always honors His Word.  His promise is certain even though our present circumstances may raise some questions. 

Second, we can show courage in the face of the unknown.  On three occasions, the Lord challenges Joshua and the people to “be strong and courageous.”  He reminds them that to be strong in the face of uncertainty because the He is with them.  You and I can have the same certainty today.  When life throws the unexpected at us, we can know that God is with us (Matthew 28:20).  He is the certainty in the midst of our uncertainty.

Finally, obedience is the key to our success.  Not only does the Lord challenge the Israelites to be strong and to show courage, but he also calls them to obedience.  He warns them to stay centered in God’s Word and not to turn “to the right or the left.”  Success waited for them as they stayed in the Lord’s instructions.  The same is true for us as well.  Now, it is important for us to understand that biblical success is often very different from our culture’s understanding of it.  Biblical success is not about bigger houses, faster cars, corner offices, or more money.  Biblical success is about God enabling us to carry out His will.  And, we are successful as we follow Him. 

As the new and uncertain comes our way, let us rest in the One we know.  May we trust His promise, draw courage from His presence, and walk steadfastly in His ways.

Lessons from the Transitions in Life

I’m at a place in my life where I’m beginning to see my kids go off to college.  It’s quite a change to go from having someone around all the time to seeing them every few months.  When we think about it, life is full of transitions.  People come and people go.  The reasons may be different, but the revolving door keeps spinning.  Family, teachers, pastors, co-workers, and bosses all come into our lives and then eventually go.  Sometimes, these transitions (as well as others) can leave us a little overwhelmed.  The emotions are even more powerful for those of us who are called upon to fill the shoes of the one who has left.

One can imagine the uneasiness in the camp of the children of Israel.  Moses was the only leader this generation of Israelites had ever known.  Now, he was gone.  Joshua was about to step up and take the Israelites on the next stage of their journey.  What a challenge for him and for his people.  The Bible says,

“Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho, and the Lord showed him all the land:  Gilead as far as Dan, all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, the Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar.  The Lord then said to him, “This is the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’  I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.”  So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, as the Lord had said.  He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is.  Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him.  The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 30 days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.  Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.  No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.  He was unparalleled for all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do against the land of Egypt—to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land, and for all the mighty acts of power and terrifying deeds that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (Deuteronomy 34:1-12, HCSB).

We see four quick lessons from this time of transition in the leadership of the Israelites: 

1. God takes sin seriously.  It may seem trivial to us for one to a strike a rock in frustration and a momentary weakness of faith (Numbers 20:1-13).  After all Moses had been through, this seems like such a small thing.  Yet, it is precisely the sin that kept Moses out of Canaan.  His plight serves to remind us that God takes sin seriously.  Moses could see the promised land, but not enter it.  Sins don’t have to be large in our eyes to separate us from God.  All sin separates us from God.  His grace, however, is greater than our sin.  It’s interesting though that despite his failures, Moses is still held in high regard by his people, and most importantly by His God.
2. God fulfills His promises.  God had promised Abraham that his descendants would claim this land (Genesis 12:7, 15:18).  Now, it was about to happen.  Moses could see from the top of Mount Nebo what Abraham could only visualize in his mind’s eye.  God kept His word.  He still does.
3. We must be willing to step up when God calls.  Joshua had big sandals to fill.  He had served as a leader of men and as Moses’ aide.  He was voice of dissent among fearful, rebellious spies (Numbers 14:6-9).  Through it all, he had been faithful.  Now, it would be time for him to arise and embrace his biggest challenge.  He did so willingly.  We too must be willing to step and serve when God calls us.
4. God gives us what we need to serve Him.  Joshua’s experiences helped shape him.  In addition, God gave him His Spirit.  This wonderful fusion of our experiences and God’s supernatural empowering continues today.  We have everything we need to do what God has called us to do. 

Book Review: Master Leaders

Tyndale Publishing was kind enough to send me a review copy of George Barna’s Master Leaders.  George Barna has earned the reputation as a respected voice regarding trends and developments in American spirituality.  He lends his pen and expertise to his new work, Master Leaders.  The book is a collection of insights gathered from thirty of the nation’s top leaders.  They are drawn from the world of sports, politics, business, and religion.  Barna collects quite a bit of information.  He gathers their thoughts and comments on a range of issues that are broken down and presented in sixteen chapters.  Those chapters are:

1. Unexpected discoveries
2. Defining and evaluating real leadership
3. Vision and values
4. Creating culture
5. Developing leaders
6. Hiring the right people
7. Leading well
8. Earning and maintaining trust
9. Confrontation and conflict
10. Character
11. Following
12. Team building
13. Faith and morals
14. Power
15. Criticism and pressure
16. Skills and discipline

Barna also includes a couple of helpful appendices.  One listing a brief biography of the participants, and another detailing their works. 

The book is filled with some great insights.  Most of them, however, have been presented before.  That’s part of the problem with books on leadership.  After awhile, they tend to sound the same.  If you’ve never read guys like Blanchard and Bennis, there are plenty of “wow” moments.  If you have, you might find the book a little familiar.  It’s sort of like a greatest hits cd.  The tunes are great, but familiar.  That’s sort of the impression I walk away with.

With that said, however, Barna still manages to inject some great thoughts and insights.  The chapter on character as well as the one on faith and morals are particularly good.  Many “mainstream” leadership books tend to skirt over these issues.  Barna’s contributors have a some great comments on these issues, and their comments are quite refreshing.

Finally, it’s worth me noting that the style of the book is a little distracting.  Barna is very open that the book is placed in a fictional setting.  All of the comments and insights are true, but they were obtained in separate interviews.  Barna presents them as taking place in one large gathering.  At first, the concept struck me as interesting.  It eventually began to be a little bothersome.  I’m not sure if the book would have been better in another format, but I think I would have liked to find out.

Overall, the book is well worth the read.  Anyone wanting to grow in leadership would enjoy Master Leaders.  It is filled with a number of great thoughts and quotes.  The appendices offer a great bibliography for additional study.  Despite some of the book’s drawbacks, I would highly recommend it.

The First Christmas Promise

Most of us have heard of Adam and Eve.  We sort of know the basics of their lives and their story.  The Garden of Eden.  The Serpent.  For those who haven’t, here’s a quick primer.  God created Adam and Eve and placed them in a perfect place called the Garden of Eden.  Everything was at their disposal, except for the fruit of one tree.  One day, Satan, in the guise of a serpent, tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the tree.  Adam joined her and innocence was lost.  Humanity has been plunged into sin and death ever since.  In the aftermath of Adam and Eve’s sin, God announces the consequences of their choices.  In the midst of these consequences, there is an interesting verse.

“I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15, HCSB).

As God curses the serpent for his role in these events, He announces that One would come who would destroy the serpent and all that he had caused.  In short, God announces that a deliverer would come and set us free from the power of sin and death.  What’s remarkable to me in this story is the fact that God had a plan from the very beginning.  For many of us, we start the day with a plan, and then when something goes awry, we panic.  We run around frantically trying to figure out what to do because traffic was heavier than we had planned.  God doesn’t do that.  Long before Adam and Eve took their first breath, God knew what was going to happen.  He knew His perfect creation was going to be plunged into imperfection. He knew that something was going to have to be done about sin and death.  He knew that One would come who would undo all that had been done.  Long before He was needed, God knew that Jesus would come to set His people free.  So, a little over three chapters into the Bible, we find the first verse to promise Christmas.  A deliverer would come.  He would destroy sin and death.  He would vanquish Satan and his power.  He would set His people free.  That’s a great plan.

Where’s the NLT Study Bible?

I usually drop by the CBA website to see how the sales of various books, Bibles, and Bible translations are trending.  I was surprised a little by the most recent list to see that the HCSB has dropped to seventh in unit sales (see the entire list is here).  If memory serves my right, it had actually surpassed the ESV was in the top five last month.  I was also intrigued by the top study Bibles (see the entire list is here).  As usually, the ESV Study Bible was on top.  I was interested, however, to see that the NLT Study Bible was not in the top ten.  I think the ESVSB is probably the best and the most thorough study Bible on the market (my study Bible opinions are here), but the NLTSB is also a great study Bible.   I was just a little surprised to see it completely out of the top ten.

More Clear or More Familiar?

When preparing a funeral service, one of the things I usually try to do is incorporate portions of Scripture that are meaningful to the family.  While recently doing this, I re-encountered Psalm 23 and had to ask myself this question:  When we come to such a passage, are we looking for a clear rendering or a familiar one?  For instance:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalms 23:1-6, ESV)

or

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.  He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.  He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.  Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff —they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live” (Psalms 23:1-6, HCSB).

So, which to prefer?  For the sake of this conversation, I’m not seeking which one is “more accurate,” but which rendering resonates better with the listener?

If interested, you can read more on my thoughts about the HCSB and the ESV.

Better than the Angels

Jesus is better than any other option.  That’s the main point of the book of Hebrews.  As the author of the book continues to make his case for the superiority of Christ, he informs his readers that Jesus is greater than the angels (Hebrews 1:4-2:18).  Jesus is greater because He has a better name than the angels (1:4), and is called a son (1:5).  He must be superior to the angelic realm because they worship Him (1:6).  Futhermore, He created and will undo all things (1:10-12).  Subsequently, we would do well not to neglect the salvation available in Him (2:3).

Towards the end of his comparison, the author points out that the connection Jesus has with humanity.  He highlights that connection in six special ways: 

1. The incarnation – Jesus is God and became man (John 1:1).  “For He has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about.  But one has somewhere testified:  What is man that You remember him, or the son of man that You care for him?  You made him lower than the angels  for a short time (Hebrews 2:5-7, HCSB).
2. The exaltation – God highly exalted Jesus to a position of honor and glory (cf. 1:3, 13; Philippians 2:10).  “You crowned him with glory and honor and subjected everything under his feet.  For in subjecting everything to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him” (Hebrews 2:7-8, HCSB).
3. The subtitution – Jesus took our place on the cross and paid the penalty for our sin.  ”But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering in death” (Hebrews 2:9, HCSB)
4. The sanctification – Jesus lived a perfectly obediently life, and He sets us apart to live a life that honors the Father.  “For in bringing many sons to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—all things exist for Him and through Him—should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.  That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying:  I will proclaim Your name  to My brothers; I will sing hymns to You in the congregation” (Hebrews 2:10-12, HCSB).
5. The identification – Jesus can identify with us because He was made flesh.  He knows what it is to be human.  In the ultimate expression of His humanity, His death, He destroyed the work of Satan.  ”Again, I will trust in Him.  And again, Here I am with the children God gave Me.  Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the Devil — and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it is clear that He does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring” (Hebrews 2:13-16, HCSB).
6. The propitation – Jesus’ sacrificial death paid the penalty for sin and averted the wrath of God.  “Therefore, He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested” (Hebrews 2:17-18, HCSB).

Salvation by Grace through Faith

Working through the book of Hebrews, one inevitably has to deal with its “warning passages.”  As our church was making its way through this book, we paused in the middle of chapter three to re-examine just how one comes to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  To do so, we went to the book of Ephesians.  There, Paul writes,

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient.  We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!  Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through ⌊His⌋ kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.  For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:1-10, HCSB).

Paul gives us three things to consider in this passage.  First, he highlights for us the contrast between who we were and who God is.  Paul reminds us of who we were before Christ changed us.  In our natural state, we were dead.  In addition, we were also under the influence of Satan.  We walked according to his ways.  As a result, we lived out the desires of our flesh.  We did what we wanted when we wanted.  Subsequently, we were subjected to God’s wrath and judgment.

God, on the other hand, is rich in mercy and the very epitome of love.  He makes us alive.  A corpse cannot bring itself back to life.  It needs to be resuscitated by another.  God gives us eternal life through Jesus.  He enables us to enjoy the second birth.  As a result, He lifts us up and gives us a seat with His Son in the heavens.  He does all of this out of the depths of His grace. 

It is grace that makes the difference.  When we think of all that God does for us, we must understand that we have not earned any of it.  We don’t deserve His goodness.  His gift towards us is not payment or recompense.  It is the simple outpouring of His marvelous grace.  We are saved by grace through faith.  Not by faith through grace.  Faith is the channel, but grace is the cause.  This is an important distinction.  If we could save ourselves, we would boast in our spiritual superiority.  Thankfully, however, we are saved by God’s precious gift.  We cannot brag about it.  We can only humbly accept and enjoy it.

Paul then suggests why we are saved.  God saves us for a purpose.  We are saved that we might live out loud for Him and do the works He prepared for us to do.   God expects us to live a certain way.  He empowers us to walk in the works which He has prepared.  He calls us to do such.  May we honor and glorify Him in all that we do.  May our lives bear testimony to this great salvation.

Obtaining Salvation

As Paul encourages the Thessalonians regarding the return of Christ and the hope they have in Him, he writes “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9, HCSB).  Most common English translations translate this verse the same basic way.  The more formal translations use some variation of the word “obtain” (NASB, NKJV, ESV).  The NIV is a little different.  It uses the word “receive” rather than “obtain.”

I am curious why all these translations handle the word peripoiēsin (obtain) the way that they do.  The word appears five times in the New Testament.  Two of those times it has the same sort of active sense that these translations give it in verse nine:

“It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14, NASB, emphasis added)

“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:39, NASB, emphasis added) 

On two other occasions it has a passive idea behind it.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9, NASB, emphasis added)

“who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:14, NASB, emphasis added)

Most commentators acknowledge the passive option, but choose to also embrace the active.  To me, however, I like the way the passive reads.  With that in mind, the verse could be translated “because God has not placed us into wrath but into a possession (or the preservation) of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  To me, the passive really shows the working of God and the security of the recipient while maintaining the sharp contrast between wrath of the benefit of salvation.  Granted the folks that do this have forgotten more about the original languages than I’ll ever know, but this other option struck me as I was working through this passage.